THE BIRDS OF CUMBERLAND. 41 



last seven years, in the apple and pear trees, and 

 the number of nests increases every year. This 

 year (1884) there were eight, but some of these, 

 I know, were second nests. I have never seen 

 Jackdaws destroy the young Finches, but have 

 seen them destroy two nests containing eggs. Last 

 3^ear (1883) a Sparrowhawk took a whole nestful of 

 young Finches, and I shot it with the last in its 

 claws." 



The Goldfinch frequently sports some white 

 feathers upon the crimson zone which encircles the 

 bill, the white varying in extent from a small spot 

 no larger than a pea to an entire white throat ; both 

 sexes vary, and white-throated birds are known as 

 "bastards" and "hobby" cheverels. Albinism, proper, 

 is rare ; but a caged female became perfectly white 

 in moult, with the exception of about six crimson 

 feathers on the forehead, a very faint and delicate 

 crescent of pale brown on the chest, and a rich 

 Goldfinch-yellow " bloom" on the wings, repeated 

 on the breast and outer rectrices. This bird died 

 in the following moult, and was dissected by Mr. 

 G. Dawson, who informs us that the liver was 

 diseased.* The crimson zone varies in extent, and 

 in a bird in the Bellevue museum is produced to a 

 point upon the breast, and very brilliant in tone. 

 The white tips to the wing quills of the Goldfinch, 

 termed "buttoning" by bird-fanciers, vary much in 

 extent, and are all but absent in some of the caged 



* Mr. Beddard informs us that liver disease is of frequent occurrence in 

 the class Arcs. 



Abnormal plumage is probably due in most instances to defection in the 

 dermal integument. 



